Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I worked in the banking sector for many years and I know businesses are often reluctant to borrow money because it must be repaid. If the Deputy can describe any cases of businesses having difficulty with this, she should bring them to me. I have had no complaints about this loan scheme so if the Deputy has such an example, she should give it to me and I will follow it up without any problem.

With respect to preparations for Brexit specifically on the Border, a design team has been appointed for a new IDA Ireland building in Monaghan. With the support of the Department of Rural and Community Development, we will build a new enterprise centre in Castleblayney that is vital for job creation in the town, given that the current enterprise centre is at capacity. A new regional development manager has been appointed by IDA Ireland to specifically focus on Cavan, Monaghan and Louth, and Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim have their own specific IDA Ireland person as well. Only yesterday, I announced €2 million in funding for a disruptive technology project at Bio-Marine Ingredients Ireland at Lough Egish food park in Monaghan, which is working with the National University of Ireland, Galway, Teagasc and the Marine Institute on groundbreaking research for the aquaculture sector. This project is the first of its kind in Europe and it is great to see it happening in the Border region. All these investments in the Border region, which I know the Deputy welcomes, will support the area in the face of Brexit.

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